Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Lexington, SC: $37,532 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Lexington, SC earns a median $37,532/year (≈ $18.04/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Lexington's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $41,019 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.5% below the South Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For 2026, certified nursing assistants in Lexington, SC can expect an annual median salary of $37,532, reflecting a post-COVID wage adjustment in the local healthcare environment. Salary estimates show a range from $30,760 at the 10th percentile to $42,437 at the 90th percentile, indicating a healthy distribution of earnings based on experience and skill. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted to reflect local market conditions and the regional cost of living. Compared to the national median of $45,007, the earning potential for certified nursing assistants in Lexington is approximately 16.61% lower, highlighting the unique economic dynamics at play in this South Carolina community.
About the Lexington Market
Salary estimated from South Carolina average ($31,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $30,760 | $14.79 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $33,011 | $15.87 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $37,532 | $18.04 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $40,228 | $19.34 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $42,437 | $20.41 |
Median Salary Position
16.61% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lexington
In Lexington, SC, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $11,677 (2026 est.). At $37,532, the local median is 16.61% below the national median of $45,007.
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At 40 hours/week in Lexington: You'd be above the median
How Lexington Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Lexington median: $37,532/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lexington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $39,716 | -5.50% less |
| National Average | $45,007 | -16.61% less |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Lexington, SC earn a median of $37,532 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.61% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 5.50% below the South Carolina state average of $39,716.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lexington has a cost of living 8.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lexington, SC has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $37,532 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $41,019 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$24,734
2025 BLS Actual
$35,241
2026 Current Est.
$37,532
2019–2027 Growth
+61.6%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Lexington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24,734 | Actual |
| 2020 | $25,726 | Actual |
| 2021 | $25,276 | Actual |
| 2022 | $29,821 | Actual |
| 2023 | $31,855 | Actual |
| 2024 | $26,792 | Actual |
| 2025 | $35,241 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $37,532 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $39,971 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lexington metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 42.5% from $24,734 (2019) to $35,241 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $39,971 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,237 (61.60%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lexington metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 6.50% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $30,760 – $33,011 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $33,011 – $37,532 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $37,532 – $40,228 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $40,228 – $42,437 |
CNA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual certified nursing assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Certified Nursing Assistant Job Market in Lexington
The job market for certified nursing assistants in Lexington remains solid, with five individuals currently employed in this role. With a cost-of-living index of 91.5, residents enjoy a slightly lower expense burden relative to the national average, thereby enhancing purchasing power. Employers contributing to the top pay include skilled nursing facilities and acute-care hospitals, where factors such as shift differentials and premium pay on weekends significantly influence earnings. Those willing to work night shifts can often earn an additional $2 to $4 per hour, and many facilities offer incentives for weekend-only roles or specific certifications. To optimize earnings in this local market, CNAs should consider seeking agency work during shortages and explore opportunities for career advancement through LPN or RN bridge programs, which are frequently available given the industry's high turnover rates.
More salary data for Lexington, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Emily Chen, BSN, RN
Career Analyst
Emily has over 10 years of experience in nursing. She focuses on workforce trends in nursing. Emily has worked in various healthcare settings, including hospitals and long-term care facilities.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $35,241 for certified nursing assistantsin the Lexington metropolitan area. A 6.50% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Lexington is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.50%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for certified nursing assistants (SOC 31-1131).
Compiled and verified by Emily Chen, BSN, RN, a licensed certified nursing assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov